The Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer has welcomed learners at the start of the 2020 school year.
She visited St Mary’s Primary School in Gardens to welcome some of the more than 1 million learners that will start the school year in the Western Cape.
Of these, about 107 000 are just beginning their school career in Grade 1 – an increase from 104 336 learners in 2019. Fortunately, principals and teachers will be on hand to dry any learners’ (and parents’) tears.
Starting high school, a projected 93 000 learners are joining us for Grade 8. This is a significant increase from 85 771 Grade 8s in 2019. They’ve also welcomed 69 400 Grade R learners so far.
As learner numbers continue to increase in our province, the MEC says the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is pulling out all the stops to find space for new learners.
The WCED opens two new schools this year: Delft High School and Disa Rd Primary School. Learners from Crestway High School and Phillipi High School will also be moving into two new school buildings as part of our replacement programme.
There have been a number of expansion projects at schools across the Province. This includes the building of additional classrooms at schools to accommodate growth through a variety of means:
• 8 schools received 40 new brick and mortar classrooms
• 6 schools received 18 Moladi classrooms
• 11 un-utilized classrooms were refurbished
• 103 mobile classrooms were built at 16 identified schools
Three schools received an additional 7 classrooms to accommodate more Grade R learners.
She has urged parents, who are having difficulties enrolling their child, or who have failed to enroll their child, to approach the local district office as soon as possible, for assistance with finding a place at a school.
Special walk-in centres have been set up to assist parents at district offices, and each office has identified specific officials who will assist parents who struggle to find a place when schools re-open. A list of these officials is available on the WCED website: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions-201920
Photo credit: Steven Chang, Edumedia WCED
